Every season there are a couple of games that stick around in the minds of rugby league fans for years after the final whistle is blown and season 2019 will be no different.
This year will again feature games of this calibre after an eventful off season that has created some exciting rivalries and matchups.
Long standing rivalries will also be on show all season long, as well as some top tier games that could have huge effects on how the top 4 and top 8 will shape up at seasons end.
Here is a list of five games that have the potential to be absolute crackers that we may remember for years to come.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Melbourne Storm (Round 1 & 20)
Brisbane Broncos vs. North Queensland Cowboys (Round 2 & 21)
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Penrith Panthers (Round 7 & 14)
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Melbourne Storm (Round 21)
Brisbane Broncos vs. Penrith Panthers (Round 22)
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Wests Tigers (Round 24)
Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm - Round 24 (Lottoland)
Formerly named Brookvale Oval, Lottoland will host the Sea Eagles and Storm in what has previously been known as the Battle of Brooky, ever since Glenn Stewart and Adam Blair’s infamous fight as they walked off the field. Des Hasler is now returning to Manly to bring back the winning ways Manly fans are used to and with this rugby league fans will hope that this intense rivalry can be reborn.
Round 11 brings us new Wests Tigers coach Michael McGuire’s first crack at attempting to take down the Rabbitohs, the team he lead to a premiership in 2014. Although this matchup looks intriguing for that reason do not be surprised to see to see both teams playing top 8 quality football by this time in the season. The Rabbitohs will again be a top side and do not sleep on the Tigers who were only ninth last season under new Penrith Coach Ivan Cleary. Also in McGuire’s favour is halfback Luke Brooks who was a top 5 vote getter in last seasons Dally M race. Expect him to take another step forward this season and be a key contributor in possibly beating the Rabbitohs in this matchup. If McGuire cannot get the win in round 11 he will have another shot at his former team in round 15.
The Grand Final rematch is always an important game that many look for on the NRL schedule. This battle will be interesting with many expecting the Roosters to win comfortably now that Cameron Smith is the only remaining member of the big 3. Although the loss of both Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater in consecutive years has hurt the Storm significantly, Smith is still one of the best organisers in the game and will again have his team competing against the Roosters in this matchup.
The Wayne Bennett and Anthony Seibold rivalry will be a major talking point all season and Round 8 will be the first time the coaches who swapped teams this off season will get to face off. Both clubs will go into the game knowing how much this game means to their respective coaches and also how important it may be at the end of the season with top 4 sides on the line. The Broncos and Rabbitohs will also play in Round 23.
If you have ever watched this matchup on ANZAC Day you will know that it is always top quality football no matter how each side is going leading up to the clash. This year do not expect anything different, the Roosters are again loaded and will be contending for back to back premierships and the Dragons will be expecting to make a push for a top four spot. If history repeats itself again this game will have all rugby league fans on the edge of their seat as two great teams battle it out in the famous Sydney Cricket Ground under the afternoon sun. These two teams will also meet each other in Round 23.
Imagine these two teams in the final round of the season battling it out for the minor premiership in prime time on a Thursday night. It is a highly possible scenario with the teams finishing on the same points in the standings last season (Roosters won the minor premiership due to having a better points differential) and both having hopes of a premiership this season. This will be the second game these two teams will have played in 2019 so every NRL fan will get a preview in round 1 of what this potential matchup might look like in the final round.